Self-bonding fluoropolymers and methods of producing the same

ABSTRACT

A method of making expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonds portions of expanded fluoropolymers together, without using an adhesive or crushing force, to produce stronger bonds at the joint between the expanded fluoropolymers than the bonds within the constituent expanded fluoropolymers. The method involves placing the portions of expanded fluoropolymers to be thermally bonded together in intimate contact with each other after wet-stretching the expanded fluoropolymers, and removing the wetting agent used to wet-stretch the expanded fluoropolymers, without subsequent expansion or stretching, to yield an expanded fluoropolymer article exhibiting unexpected and superior properties that can be used in a variety of medical and industrial applications.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, co-pending U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/711,996, filed Oct. 10, 2012, for allsubject matter common to both applications. The disclosure of saidprovisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fluoropolymers, and the bondingthereof, suitable for a wide variety of applications, such as medicaldevices (e.g., grafts, stent covers, etc.) and industrial uses (e.g.,clothing and apparel, packaging, etc.). More particularly, the presentinvention provides expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonded tothemselves without requiring adhesives, and multi-layer fluoropolymerarticles comprising layers that are thermally bonded without requiringadhesives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain classes of polymers, such as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) andUltra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), possess the uniqueability to physically expand as a result of applied force andtemperature. Molecularly, PTFE is a long chain polymer moleculeconsisting of carbon and fluorine atoms that exists in varying degreesof crystallinity. PTFE is a semi-crystalline material, consisting ofamorphous and crystalline regions within the bulk material.

The crystallinity of polymers is characterized by their degree ofcrystallinity, ranging from zero for an amorphous polymer to one for atheoretical completely crystalline polymer. As would be appreciated byone of skill in the art, few polymers are entirely crystalline. Ingeneral, in the amorphous regions, the polymer chains exist in a randompattern, whereas in the crystalline regions, the polymer chains exist ina regular, repeating (e.g., periodic) pattern. The degree ofcrystallinity, along with size, distribution, and physical arrangementof the crystalline regions, has a significant effect on the physical andmechanical properties of the polymer. For example, polymers with highcrystallinity are reported to be stronger and denser than amorphouspolymers.

PTFE can be expanded under the application of force at elevatedtemperatures. Expansion can take place in a number of different ways anddirections, so as to modify the length, width, and/or shape of the PTFEarticle. During the expansion process, open pores are created, and theresulting expanded PTFE article is a porous material with increasedpermeability and flexibility, and decreased density and strength.Expansion processes do not induce a change in crystallinity unless thematerial is heated above its melting point.

In many applications, the porosity and permeability of expanded PTFEmust be reduced to achieve the particular desired physical materialproperties and performance criteria. Conventional methods to reduceporosity and permeability of a material include compression of thematerial under a crushing pressure (e.g., calendaring, or anotherpressure that tends to crush the materials together). However, suchresultant compressed materials often fail to have the desired physicalstrengths, particularly when compressed to a very small thickness, andare often less flexible or pliable, with less ability to drape andconform to a targeted tissue location during implantation.

Furthermore, fluoropolymers, particularly PTFE, are extremely difficultto bond with each other due to the inertness, low surface energy, andchemical structure of the material. Conventional methods of bonding PTFEinclude chemical etching, plasma etching, corona treatment, and combinedapplication of crushing force and heat. In some instances, adhesives andtie layers are used to bond PTFE together.

However, these methods can produce undesired surface modifications tothe PTFE material, or they can involve the undesired addition of foreignagents (e.g., adhesives, etc.) to the PTFE material.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a thin PTFE material having high strengthcharacteristics.

There is also a need for a PTFE material capable of forming bonds withitself that are stronger than the natural bonds of remaining portionsthe PTFE material that are not bonded to itself (self-bonded). Thepresent invention is directed toward solutions to address these andother needs, in addition to having other desirable characteristics thatwill be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the presentspecification. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,an expanded fluoropolymer is provided. The expanded fluoropolymer can bethermally bonded to itself without an adhesive. The expandedfluoropolymer can be constructed from PTFE. In some embodiments, theexpanded fluoropolymer is non-porous. In some embodiments, at least twoportions of the fluoropolymer can be bonded together without theadhesive to form bonds that have an x-direction tensile strength that isgreater than the x-direction tensile strength of the fluoropolymeritself. The fluoropolymer can be constructed to form any shape, forexample, a sheet, a film, a tube, a balloon or a 3-d shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, amulti-layer expanded fluoropolymer article is provided. The multi-layerexpanded fluoropolymer article can include at least two layers ofexpanded fluoropolymer thermally bonded together without an adhesive.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the atleast two layers can be arranged such that the entire surface of eachindividual layer forms bonds with an entire surface of each adjacentlayer. Each layer can be arranged in a vertical relationship withrespect to each adjacent layer. The bonds can have a z-directionstrength that is greater than a z-direction strength of any of theindividual layers.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each ofthe layers can be arranged such that a portion of the surface of eachindividual layer overlaps each adjacent layer and the overlappingportion of each adjacent layer forms bonds with each other. In certainembodiments, each of the layers can be arranged in a verticalrelationship with respect to each adjacent layer. In such embodiments,the bonds can have a z-direction strength that is greater than az-direction strength of any individual layers. In other embodiments,each layer is arranged in a horizontal relationship with respect to eachadjacent layer. In such embodiments, the bonds can have an x-directiontensile strength that is greater than an x-direction tensile strength ofthe expanded fluoropolymer layers. The article can be constructed toform any shape, for example, a sheet, a film, a tube, a balloon, and a3-d shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofmaking an expanded fluoropolymer article thermally bonded to itselfwithout an adhesive is provided. In the method, a wet stretchedfluoropolymer article can be provided by stretching a wetted expandablefluoropolymer article while wet with a wet stretch wetting agent. Twoportions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article can be placed inintimate contact with each other while wet with the wet stretch wettingagent. While the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer articleare in intimate contact with each other, at least the wet stretchwetting agent can be removed from at least the two portions of the wetstretched fluoropolymer article in intimate contact. Subsequent to orsimultaneous with removing at least the wet stretch wetting agent fromat least the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article, atleast the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article can beheated while in intimate contact with each other.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the stepof heating at least the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymerarticle can form bonds between the two portions. The bonds between thetwo portions can have an x-direction tensile strength that is greaterthan an x-direction tensile strength of the wet stretched fluoropolymerarticle itself. In some embodiments, the expanded fluoropolymer articleincludes ePTFE. The ePTFE can be non-porous. In some embodiments, thetwo portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article can remain inintimate contact between the step of removing at least the wet stretchwetting agent and the step of heating at least the two portions of thewet stretched fluoropolymer article.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the stepof to providing the wet stretched fluoropolymer article can include: (a)mixing an expandable fluoropolymer resin with an extrusion wettingagent; (b) forming the mixture into a solid billet; (c) extruding thebillet to form an extrudate; (d) rewetting the extrudate with the wetstretch wetting agent to form the wetted expanded fluoropolymer article;and (e) stretching the wetted article to form the wet stretchedfluoropolymer article. In some embodiments, the extrudate is calendaredto reduce a thickness of the extrudate prior to the step of rewettingthe extrudate with the wet stretch wetting agent. The extrudate can bestretched in the machine direction prior to the step of rewetting theextrudate with the wet stretch wetting agent. Stretching the wettedexpandable fluoropolymer article can include stretching the wettedexpandable fluoropolymer article in the transverse direction at atemperature below the flash point of the wet stretch wetting agent. Theextrusion wetting agent can be removed from the extrudate prior to thestep of rewetting the extrudate with the wet stretch wetting agent. Thestep of removing at least the wet stretch wetting agent from at leastthe two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article further caninclude removing the lubricant wetting agent from at least the twoportions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article.

The step of placing the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymerarticle in intimate contact can include wrapping the wet stretchedfluoropolymer article around a mandrel in such a way that the twoportions of wet stretched fluoropolymer article are overlapping. Thestep of removing at least the wet stretch wetting agent from at leastthe two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article can includeremoving by drying or removing by heating. The step of heating at leastthe two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article can includesintering at least the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymerarticle while in intimate contact.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for making a multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article. In themethod, each of a first wet stretched fluoropolymer article and a secondwet stretched fluoropolymer article can be provided by stretching awetted expandable fluoropolymer article. A portion of the first wetstretched fluoropolymer article can be placed in intimate contact with aportion of the second wet stretched fluoropolymer article while each ofthe first and second wet stretched fluoropolymer articles is wet with awet-stretch wetting agent. While in intimate contact, the wet-stretchwetting agent can be removed at least from the portion of each of thefirst and second wet stretched fluoropolymer articles. Subsequent to orsimultaneous with removing the wet-stretch wetting agent at least fromthe portion of each of the first and second wet stretched fluoropolymerarticles, at least the portion of each of the first and second wetstretched fluoropolymer articles can be heated while in intimatecontact.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the stepof heating the portion of each of the first and second wet stretchedfluoropolymer articles while in intimate contact can cause bonds to beformed between the portion of the first wet stretched fluoropolymerarticle and the second wet stretched fluoropolymer article. The bondscan have an x-direction tensile strength that is greater than anx-direction tensile strength of the first or second wet stretchedfluoropolymer articles. Each of the first and second expandedfluoropolymer articles can include ePTFE. The ePTFE can be non-porous.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, providingeach of the first and the second wet stretched fluoropolymer articlescan include: (a) mixing an expandable fluoropolymer resin with anextrusion wetting agent to form a mixture; (b) extruding the mixture toform the expandable fluoropolymer extrudate; (e) rewetting the extrudatewith the wet-stretch wetting agent to form the wetted expandablefluoropolymer article; and (d) stretching the wetted expandablefluoropolymer article to form the wet stretched fluoropolymer article.The mixture can be formed into a solid billet prior to being extruded.In some embodiments, the expandable fluoropolymer extrudate iscalendared to reduce a thickness of the expandable fluoropolymerextrudate prior being rewetted. The expandable fluoropolymer extrudatecan be stretched in the machine direction prior to being rewetted. Thewetted expandable fluoropolymer article can be stretched in thetransverse direction at a temperature below the flash point of thewet-stretch wetting agent. In some embodiments, the lubricant wettingagent is removed from the expandable fluoropolymer extrudate prior tobeing rewetted. In removing the wet-stretch wetting agent from at leastfrom the portion of each of the first and second wet stretchedfluoropolymer articles, the lubricant wetting agent can also be removedfrom each of the first and second wet stretched fluoropolymer articles.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the stepof removing the wet-stretch wetting agent from at least the portion ofeach of the first and second wet stretched fluoropolymer articles can beperformed at least in part through use of drying or heating. The step ofheating at least the portion of each of the first and second wetstretched fluoropolymer articles can include sintering at least theportion of each of the first and second wet stretched fluoropolymerarticles while in intimate contact.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an expandedfluoropolymer article is provided having a longitudinal tensile strengthat break of at least 8.12 lbf (16,186 psi) on a 0.0005 inch thick sheetas measured according to ASTM D882.

In accordance with some further embodiments of the present invention,the article is formed as a sheet having a thickness of 0.0005 inches andhas a joint strength at failure of about 4.2 lbf (about 8,400 psi), asmeasured according to ASTM D882. In some embodiments, the article isformed as a 1″ diameter tube having a thickness of 0.0005 inches and hasa radial tensile strength of about 14.76 lbf (about 29,520 psi) asmeasured according to ASTM D882. In some embodiments, the article isformed as a 0.0005 inch thick film having about 900 perforations persquare inch of approximately 100 microns, and has a longitudinal tensilestrength of about 5.73 lbf (about 11,452 psi), as measured according toASTM D882. In some embodiments, the article is formed as a 0.0005 inchthick film having about 1,600 perforations per square inch ofapproximately 100 microns and has a longitudinal tensile strength of 4.4lbf (8,816 psi), as measured according to ASTM D882. In someembodiments, the article is formed as a 0.0005 inch thick film havingabout 2,500 perforations per square inch of approximately 100 microns,and has a longitudinal tensile strength of about 2.53 lbf (about 5,066psi), as measured according to ASTM D882.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, thearticle can have a water contact angle of at least)115° (117.86°. Insome embodiments, the article has an acid contact angle of at least 115°(115.2°). The article can be capable of being laminated without anadhesive or chemical or physical treatment. The article can have aT-peel loading value of between about 6 lbf and about 8 lbf (6.91 lbf).In some embodiments, the article has a T-peel loading value is 3500%higher than conventionally processed PTFE (e.g., via known processes oflubricating PTFE resin, preforming, extruding, calendaring, removinglubrication, and stretching in the machine direction). The article canhave a greater amorphous fraction than PTFE, as detected by Fouriertransform infrared analysis. The article can have a greater relativeamorphous fraction than PTFE, characterized by a differential scanningcalorimetry (DSC) thermogram exhibiting a phase transition of less than20 degrees Celsius and a heat of fusion of less than 4.0 joules pergram. The article can be shaped to form a sheet, a film, a tube, aballoon, or a 3-d shape.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, thearticle is thermally self-bonded or thermally self-laminated withoutapplication of a chemical treatment to the article. In some embodiments,the article is thermally self-bonded or thermally self-laminated withoutan adhesive. In some embodiments, the article is capable of beingthermally laminated to itself without application of a chemicaltreatment to the article. In some embodiments, the article is capable ofbeing thermally laminated to itself without an adhesive.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an expandedfluoropolymer is provided that includes a wet-stretchedpolytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) exhibiting both a higher amorphousfraction and a lower crystalline fraction than an expanded polymerformed from a comparative non-wet-stretched ePTFE, as characterized by aDSC thermogram. In some embodiments, the DSC thermogram of thewet-stretched ePTFE exhibits a phase transition of at least 2 degreesCelsius less than the DSC thermogram of the non-wet-stretched ePTFE. Insome embodiments, the DSC thermogram of the wet-stretched ePTFE exhibitsa heat of fusion of 0.75 joules per mole less than the DSC thermogram ofthe non-wet-stretched ePTFE.

In accordance with some further embodiments of the present invention,the wet-stretched ePTFE is thermally bonded to itself withoutapplication of a crushing force or chemical treatment to thewet-stretched ePTFE. In some embodiments, the wet-stretched ePTFE isthermally bonded to itself without an adhesive. The wet-stretched ePTFEcan be capable of being thermally bonded to itself without applicationof a crushing force or chemical treatment to the wet-stretched ePTFE. Insome embodiments, the wet-stretched ePTFE is capable of being thermallybonded to itself without an adhesive.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, anexpanded fluoropolymer material is provided having a bond strength atthe joint greater than the bond strength of the material itself when atleast a portion of the wet-stretched fluoropolymer is sintered to itselfin a joined configuration. The expanded fluoropolymer material can beproduced by (a) stretching a wetted fluoropolymer material to form awet-stretched fluoropolymer material; (b) removing a wetting agent fromthe wet-stretched fluoropolymer material while portions of thewet-stretched fluoropolymer material are in intimate contact with eachother after stretching the wetted fluoropolymer material; and (c)sintering the at least the portion of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial to itself to in the joined configuration to yield thewet-stretched fluoropolymer material having the bond strength at thejoint greater than the bond strength of the material itself.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a product isprovided that includes at least one component that is constructed froman expanded fluoropolymer material. The expanded fluoropolymer materialcan include a liquid-impermeable, shape-formable wet-stretchedfluoropolymer material. At least a portion of the wet-stretchedfluoropolymer material can be sintered to itself in a joinedconfiguration. The joint strength of the wet-stretched fluoropolymermaterial can be at least 7 times greater than the joint strength of anexpanded polytetrafluoroethylene material similarly configured. Theproduct can be a medical device, for example, a graft, a conduit, acatheter, a bariatric liner, a balloon, or a stent covering.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, apolymorph of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is provided that has anamorphous fraction characterized by a differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) thermogram exhibiting a phase transition of less than 20 degreesCelsius and a heat of fusion of less than 4.0 joules per gram. Thepolymorph is thermally laminated to itself without an adhesive. In someembodiments, the PTFE polymorph is a low crystallinity polymer ascompared to PTFE, wherein PTFE is a high crystallinity polymer. The lowcrystallinity polymer can have a melting point as determined by DSC thatis less than the melting point of the high crystallinity polymer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other characteristics of the present invention will be morefully understood by reference to the following detailed description inconjunction with the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expanded fluoropolymer articlethermally bonded to itself without the use of adhesives, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a multi-layer expanded fluoropolymerarticle having a stacked, fully overlapping configuration, according toan example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a multi-layer expanded fluoropolymerarticle having a stacked, partially overlapping configuration, accordingto an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a side view of a multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer articlehaving a stacked, partially overlapping configuration in which multipleconstituent layers thereof are substantially coplanar, according to anexample embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for making the expanded fluoropolymerarticle of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for making the expanded fluoropolymerarticle of any one of FIGS. 2A through 2C, according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a bar graph comparing the longitudinal tensile strength (lbf)of a fluoropolymer article according to one aspect of the presentinvention to the longitudinal tensile strength (lbf) of similarlyconstructed articles made from perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and ePTFE;

FIG. 5B is a bar graph comparing the longitudinal tensile strength (psi)of a fluoropolymer article produced according to one aspect of thepresent invention to the longitudinal tensile strength (psi) ofsimilarly constructed articles made from PFA and ePTFE;

FIG. 6 is a bar graph comparing the longitudinal tensile strength (lbf)at the joint of a fluoropolymer article produced according to one aspectof the present invention to the longitudinal tensile strength (lbf) atthe joints of similarly constructed articles made from PFA and ePTFE;

FIG. 7A is a bar graph comparing the radial tensile strength (lbf) of afluoropolymer article produced according to one aspect of the presentinvention to the radial tensile strength (lbf) of similarly constructedarticles made from PFA and ePTFE;

FIG. 7B is a bar graph comparing the radial tensile strength (psi) of afluoropolymer article produced according to one aspect of the presentinvention to the radial tensile strength (psi) of similarly constructedarticles made from PFA and ePTFE;

FIG. 8 is a line graph comparing the longitudinal tensile strength (lbf)of increasingly perforated fluoropolymer articles produced according toone aspect of the present invention to the longitudinal tensile strength(psi) of similarly constructed perforated articles made from PFA andePTFE;

FIG. 9A is a bar graph comparing the average water contact angles ofvarious fluoropolymer articles produced according to one aspect of thepresent invention to the average water contact angles of a similarlyconstructed articles made from PFA;

FIG. 9B is a bar graph comparing the average 0.1 mol HCL contact anglesof various fluoropolymer articles produced according to one aspect ofthe present invention to the average 0.1 mol HCL contact angles of asimilarly constructed articles made from PFA;

FIG. 10 is a bar graph comparing the average water and 0.1 mol HCLcontact angles of various fluoropolymer articles produced according toone aspect of the present invention to the average water and 0.1 mol HCLcontact angles of similarly constructed articles made from PFA;

FIG. 11 is a bar graph illustrating the results of a T-peel testcomparing the lamination strength of fluoropolymer articles producedaccording to one aspect of the present invention to the laminationstrength of control articles made from ePTFE. As shown in FIG. 11, thelamination strength of the fluoropolymer articles of the presentinvention is unexpectedly and surprisingly significantly higher than thelamination strength of the ePTFE articles;

FIG. 12A is a Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis spectrum, performed ata temperature of 25° C., of a fluoropolymer article produced accordingto one aspect of the present invention compared to an unprocessed PTFEresin and PTFE processed using conventional methods;

FIG. 12B is a Fourier Transform Infrared Analysis spectrum, performed atan elevated temperature of 150° C., of a fluoropolymer article producedaccording to one aspect of the present invention compared to anunprocessed PTFE resin and PTFE processed using conventional methods;

FIG. 13A is a differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of a controlePTFE article produced according to conventional methods;

FIG. 13B is a differential scanning calorimetry thermogram of afluoropolymer article produced according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13C is a differential scanning calorimetry thermograph of a controlePTFE overlaying a differential scanning calorimetry thermograph of afluoropolymer article produced according to one aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13D is a zoomed in view of a first portion of the overlaiddifferential scanning calorimetry thermograph of FIG. 13C, showing thepolymorph phase transition of the control ePTFE compared to thepolymorph phase transition of the fluoropolymer article producedaccording to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13E is a zoomed in view of a second portion of the overlaiddifferential scanning calorimetry thermograph of FIG. 13C, showing themelt temperature transition of the control ePTFE compared to the melttemperature transition of the fluoropolymer article produced accordingto one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a line graph illustrating the results of dynamic mechanicalanalysis performed on a fluoropolymer article produced according to oneaspect of the present invention compared to a control;

FIG. 15 is a bar graph illustrating a comparison of the coefficient offriction on tissue for a fluoropolymer article produced according to oneaspect of the present invention compared to control articles made fromPAF and ePTFE;

FIG. 16 is a bar graph showing the results of a pre-clinical study ofthe effectiveness of a fluoropolymer article produced according to oneaspect of the present invention in preventing adhesion formation in arabbit sidewall model compared to control animals which lacked thefluoropolymer article;

FIG. 17A is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of an ePTFEvascular graft with a fluoropolymer article, produced according to oneaspect of the present invention and positioned placed on a luminalsurface;

FIG. 17B is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of a ePTFEvascular graft with a fluoropolymer article, produced according to oneaspect of the present invention and placed on the luminal surface; and

FIG. 17C is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of afluoropolymer article produced according to one aspect of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to anexpanded fluoropolymer thermally bonded to itself without using anadhesive and methods for producing the same. In certain illustrativeembodiments, a joining force can optionally be applied to the expandedfluoropolymer to thermally bond the expanded fluoropolymer to itselfwithout using an adhesive. In such illustrative embodiments, theexpanded fluoropolymer can be thermally bonded to itself without the useof a “crushing force,” as defined herein and would be understood by oneof skill in the art. The expanded fluoropolymers of the presentinvention (EFPs) possesses both superior and unexpected propertiescompared to conventional fluoropolymers, such as ePTFE processedaccording to conventional methods. It has surprisingly and unexpectedlybeen observed that the expanded fluoropolymers formed by the methods ofthe present invention possess increased density, decreased porosity,increased longitudinal and radial tensile strength, decreasedcrystallinity and increased amorphousness, and an ability to expand to alarger ratio than conventional fluoropolymers (e.g., as described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,616,876). In certain embodiments, expandedfluoropolymers formed by the methods of the present invention arcnon-porous. The expanded fluoropolymers formed by the methods of thepresent invention also possess the unexpected and surprising ability tothermally bond to themselves without using an adhesive (and optionallyby applying a joining force), and once bonded as such, the resultingbond exhibits a bond strength at the interface between thermally bondedportions of the expanded fluoropolymer that is greater than the strengthof the expanded fluoropolymer itself. It was surprisingly andunexpectedly observed that the expanded tluoropolymers of the presentinvention having superior properties compared to conventionallyprocessed ePTFE can be formed by removing a wetting agent from awet-stretched fluoropolymer material (the wetting agent being wettingfluid that was previously added to the extruded material prior to wetstretching) while portions of the wet-stretched fluoropolymer materialremain in intimate contact with each other (i.e. the portions ofwet-stretched fluoropolymer material to be bonded together arc placedinto intimate contact with each other after stretching). In certainillustrative embodiments, the intimately contacted portions canoptionally be sintered.

FIGS. 1 through 17C, wherein like parts are designated by like referencenumerals throughout, illustrate example embodiments of methods offorming, superior and unexpected properties, and applications for theexpanded tluoropolymers according to the present invention. Although thepresent invention will be described with reference to the exampleembodiments illustrated in the figures, it should be understood thatmany alternative forms can embody the present invention. One of skill inthe art will additionally appreciate different ways to alter theparameters of the embodiments disclosed, such as the size, shape, ortype of elements or materials, in a manner still in keeping with thespirit and scope of the present invention.

As utilized herein, a “joining force” generally refers to briefapplication of a low magnitude force sufficient to bring two items orportions into contact. A joining force is distinguished herein from a“crushing force,” which refers to an application (e.g., a prolongedapplication) of a moderate to high magnitude force used in crushing oneor more materials (e.g., together, as performed in machine pressing orcalendaring). Accordingly, the meaning of these terms will be fullyappreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the presentspecification. In accordance with one example embodiment of the presentinvention, the pressure resulting from the joining force can be about 25psi or less.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative and non-limiting example of an expandedfluoropolymer article 10 thermally bonded to itself without using anadhesive. In certain embodiments, the expanded fluoropolymer article 10can be thermally bonded to itself without using an adhesive. In certainillustrative embodiments, a joining force can optionally be applied tothe expanded fluoropolymer article 10 as the expanded fluoropolymerarticle 10 is thermally bonded to itself without the adhesive. It iswell known in the art that bonding fluoropolymer articles, particularlyPTFE, together is difficult to achieve as a result of the inertness, lowsurface energy, and chemical structure of the tluoropolymers. As aresult, conventional methods of bonding fluoropolymer articles togetherrely on chemical treatment, such as chemical etching, plasma etching,corona treatment, and/or typically require the combined use of acrushing force and heat, or the use of adhesives or tie layers. It wasunexpectedly and surprisingly observed during the course of workdescribed herein that by removing a wetting agent (e.g., drying) from awet-stretched fluoropolymer article while portions of the wet-stretchedfluoropolymer article remain in intimate contact with each other, anexpanded fluoropolymer article (e.g., the expanded fluoropolymer article10 illustrated in FIG. 1) capable of thermally bonding to itself orother similarly processed expanded fluoropolymer articles can beproduced possessing bonds at the interface or joint between the bondedfluoropolymers portions, the bonds having a strength that is greaterthan the strength of the expanded fluoropolymer article itself. Thewetting agent that is removed is the agent previously added to theextruded material prior to the wet stretching process (such wetstretching process as would be understood by those of skill in the art).

One of skill in the art should appreciate that any suitablefluoropolymer material can be processed according to the methods of thepresent invention to produce an expanded fluoropolymer article havingsurprisingly superior properties compared to conventionally processedfluoropolymer articles. In accordance with an illustrative andnon-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the expandedfluoropolymer article comprises PTFE. Examples of other suitablematerials that can be processed according to the methods of the presentinvention to produce the superior expanded fluoropolymer articles of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, homopolymers of PTFE,copolymers of PTFE in which the comonomer is ethylene,chlorotrifluoroethylene, perfluoroalkoxytetrafluoroethylene, andfluorinated propylene. In certain embodiments, a polyolefin, such aspolypropylene and polyethylene, can be used instead of a fluoropolymer.Likewise, polymer materials that are expandable and have a microporousstructure similar to ePTFE may also be capable of experiencing thesuperior properties of the present invention.

In contrast to conventionally processed fluoropolymer materials whichare typically porous in nature due to their increased crystalline anddecreased amorphous structure, the expanded fluoropolymers articlesproduced according to the methods of the present invention (e.g.,including the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 of FIG. 1) have adecreased porosity. For example, an expanded fluoropolymer article ofthe present invention can have a decreased porosity as compared toconventionally processed ePTFE. In accordance with an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, the expanded fluoropolymer articleis non-porous. It should be appreciated that the degree of porosity canbe tailored as desired to suit the needs of any particular intendedapplication, by adjusting the processing conditions. For example, aswould be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the presentspecification, modifications can be made to the wet stretching process(e.g., different parameters can be used) to ensure that the desiredporosity of the wet stretched material is achieved. As would further beappreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the presentspecification, wet stretching generally produces a decrease in amaterial's porosity and reduces the thickness of the material beingstretched.

As depicted in FIG. 1, at least two portions 12 of the expandedfluoropolymer article 10 can be bonded together without the adhesive toform bonds that have an x-direction tensile strength that is greaterthan the x-direction tensile strength of the fluoropolymer materialitself. In accordance with certain illustrative embodiments, a joiningforce can optionally be applied to the at least to portions 12 as the atleast two portions are being thermally bonded together. Although FIG. 1shows only two portions 12 of the same expanded fluoropolymer bondedtogether without adhesive (optionally applying a joining force) to forma tube or tube-like shape, the expanded fluoropolymers of the presentinvention can be shaped using the inventive methods to form a sheet, afilm, a balloon, or any 3-d shape. Furthermore, multiple folds formingmore than two portions can be laid over each other, in such a way thatthree, four, five, six, or N (where N equals a positive integer)portions 12 of the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 are bonded together(e.g., forming a serpentine shape). It should be appreciated that theparticular shape formed can vary depending on the particular intendedapplication. For example, if the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 ofthe present invention is to be used as a balloon for an expandableballoon catheter, the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 can be shaped toform a substantially non-porous balloon (e.g., sealed at one end). Byway of further illustration, if the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 ofthe present invention is to be used as a bariatric liner, the expandedfluoropolymer article 10 can be shaped to form a substantiallynon-porous, thin film.

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict various embodiments of amulti-layer expanded fluoropolymer article 14 comprising at least twolayers 16 of expanded fluoropolymer material thermally bonded togetherwithout an adhesive. In accordance with certain illustrativeembodiments, a joining force can optionally be applied to the at leasttwo layers 16 of expanded fluoropolymer material as the at least twolayers are being thermally bonded together without an adhesive. AlthoughFIGS. 2A and 2B depict the multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article 14as having two layers 16, it should he evident to those skilled in theart that the multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article 14 alternativelycan include three layers 16, four layers 16, five layers 16, or up to Nlayers 16, where N equals a positive integer. The number of layers 16can vary, as desired, depending on the intended application and desiredparameters (e.g., thickness, length, shape, etc.) of the finishedarticle or product.

In accordance with the illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2A, the at least two layers 16 can bearranged such that the entire surface of each individual layer 16 formsbonds with an entire surface of each adjacent layer 16 (e.g., such thateach of the at least two layers 16 is fully overlapping with the other).In such instances, each layer 16 is arranged in a vertical relationshipwith respect to each adjacent layer 16 and the bonds formed betweenadjacent layers 16 have a z-direction strength that is greater than az-direction strength of any of the individual layers 16.

In accordance with the illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2B, each layer 16 can be arranged suchthat a portion (i.e., less than an entire surface of a layer) of thesurface of each individual layer 16 overlaps each adjacent layer 16 andthe overlapping portions of the adjacent layer 16 form bonds with eachother. In certain illustrative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, eachlayer 16 can be arranged in a vertical relationship with respect to eachadjacent layer 16. In such instances, the bonds formed between adjacentoverlapping layers have a z-direction strength that is greater than az-direction strength of any individual layers 16.

It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention is notintended to be limited to any such particular vertical arrangement. Forexample, each layer 16 arranged as such can be arranged such that thearea of overlap between each adjacent layer 16 is marginal (i.e., lessthan about half of the surface area of adjacent layers 16 isoverlapping) or substantial (i.e., more than about half of the surfacearea of adjacent layers 16 is overlapping). In addition, each layer 16can be arranged so that the multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article10 is symmetrical or asymmetrical, forms a particular pattern, e.g.,staggered consecutively to form a staircase like shape, staggeredalternatively to form an accordion-like shape, etc., or so that eachlayer 16 has uniform or non-uniform thickness.

Turning now to the illustrative embodiments shown in FIG. 2C, multiplefluoropolymer articles 0 can be arranged in a horizontal relationshipwith respect to each other (e.g., in a tile configuration) and can bethermally bonded together without adhesives, so as to form an expandedfluoropolymer article 18 formed of multiple thermally bonded portions20. In certain illustrative embodiments, a joining force can optionallybe applied to the multiple fluoropolymer articles 10 as the multiplefluoropolymer articles are being thermally bonded together withoutadhesives. In such instances, the expanded fluoropolymer article 18 caninclude only a single layer, as depicted in FIG. 2C, or may includemultiple layers. In such embodiments, the bonds formed between adjacentportions 20 have an x-direction tensile strength that is greater than anx-direction tensile strength of the expanded fluoropolymer article 18itself. When the portions 20 are arranged in a horizontal relationshipwith respect to each other, abutting portions 20 can nominally overlapsuch that the bonds formed therebetween are substantially nonparallel(e.g., perpendicular, sloped at an angle, etc.) to the horizontallyarranged portions 20 themselves. Alternatively, in certain embodiments,horizontally arranged portions 20 (e.g., arranged in a tileconfiguration) can be formed such that there is no overlap betweenadjacent portions 20. In such instances, the thermally formed bonds thusformed between adjacent portions 20 are substantially parallel to thehorizontally arranged portions 20.

Although FIG. 2C shows an expanded fluoropolymer article 18 having twoportions 20 arranged side-by-side in series in the x-direction to form asheet, it should be appreciated that bonds can be formed and additionalportions 20 can be added in the x-direction in series. For example, ifdesired, as described previously herein, a tiled pattern can be formedusing multiple portions 20 of expanded fluoropolymer articles all shapedas thin sheets. In such instances, the tensile strength of the bondsformed between adjacent portions 20 in either the x-direction or they-direction have a greater x-direction tensile strength and a greatery-direction tensile strength than the individual portions 20 themselves.

The expanded fluoropolymer articles 14, 18 of FIGS. 2A through 2C can beprocessed according to the methods of the present invention to form anydesired shape, for example a sheet, a film, a tube, a balloon, and a 3-dshape. It should be appreciated that each layer 16 and/or portion 20 (orthe entire article 14, 18) can be thus shaped. In addition, if desired,each layer 16 and/or portion 20 can be formed with distinct shapes, aswould be apparent to one of skill in the art.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for making an expanded fluoropolymerarticle, such as the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 of FIG. 1, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. Asdescribed previously herein, the expanded fluoropolymer article 10 isthermally bonded to itself without use or requirement of adhesive(s). Incertain illustrative embodiments, a joining force can be applied to theexpanded fluoropolymer article 10 as the expanded fluoropolymer articleis being thermally bonded to itself without the adhesive. The expandedfluoropolymer article generally can include ePTFE, which may benon-porous ePTFE. As depicted in FIG. 3, a mixture of expandablefluoropolymer resin and an extrusion wetting agent can be created (step102). As used herein, an “extrusion wetting agent” generally refers to awetting agent that is used in the process of extrusion, e.g., to assistby serving as a lubricant for controlling and/or preventing materialshear during extrusion, as would be appreciated by one of skill in theart upon reading the present specification. As a non-limiting example,step 102 of creating the mixture can include blending the fluoropolymerresin with the extrusion wetting agent to form a lubricated powder. Themixture created in step 102 then can be formed, e.g., under pressure,into an expandable fluoropolymer billet (step 104). The expandablefluoropolymer billet can be extruded through a die having any desiredcross-section, thereby forming an expandable fluoropolymer extrudate(step 106). As non-limiting examples, the cross-sectional shape of thedie can be substantially circular, substantially rectangular,substantially linear (e.g., in such a way as to produce a flat sheet),substantially annular (e.g., in such a way as to produce a hollowcylinder), or the like, as would be readily appreciated by one of skillin the art. Optionally, the expandable fluoropolymer extrudate can hecalendared subsequent to step 106 of extrusion, e.g., to reduce athickness of the expandable fluoropolymer extrudate prior to asubsequent step of stretching. Optionally, the expandable fluoropolymerextrudate can be stretched in the machine direction (e.g., as opposed tothe transverse direction), as would be appreciated by one of skill inthe art upon reading the present specification.

The expandable fluoropolymer extrudate then may be rewet with awet-stretch wetting agent, thus forming a wetted expanded fluoropolymerextrudate (step 108). A “wet-stretch wetting agent,” as used herein,generally refers to the wetting agent (e.g., a liquid) that is used inthe process of wet stretching an article, as would be appreciated by oneof skill in the art. “Wet stretching” itself is a pre-existing method ofexpanding or deforming an expandable polymer-based article while thearticle is wet with a wetting agent. Step 108 of rewetting theexpandable fluoropolymer article with the wet-stretch wetting agent maybe performed by submerging or soaking the expandable fluoropolymer inthe wet-stretch wetting agent, spraying the wet-stretch wetting agentonto the expandable fluoropolymer article, rubbing the wet-stretchwetting agent into the expandable fluoropolymer article, or otherwiseapplying the wet-stretch wetting agent to the expandable fluoropolymerarticle. The term “rewetting” is intended to have its ordinary meaningin the art, e.g., of applying a second wetting agent after completion ofone or more activities for which a first wetting agent was intended tohave been used. In general, it should be understood that as definedherein, the first wetting agent (e.g., the lubricant wetting agent) canbe the same as or different from the second wetting agent (e.g., thewet-stretch wetting agent).

In accordance with conventional wet stretching methods, the wettedexpanded fluoropolymer extrudate can be stretched to form an expandedfluoropolymer article (step 110). As would be appreciated by one ofskill in the art, in embodiments where the wetted expanded fluoropolymerextrudate is shaped generally like a hollow cylinder, the wettedexpanded fluoropolymer extrudate can be stretched by being pulling overa mandrel. This can cause the wetted expanded fluoropolymer extrudate tobe stretched in the radial direction (e.g., to undergo radialexpansion). Alternatively, in embodiments where the wetted expandedfluoropolymer extrudate is shaped like a sheet, step 110 can include wetstretching the wetted expanded fluoropolymer extrudate in the transversedirection (e.g., as opposed to the machine direction), as would beappreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading the presentspecification. For example, the wetted expanded fluoropolymer extrudatecan be stretched in the transverse direction at a temperature below theflash point of the wet stretch wetting agent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,876,issued Sep. 9, 2003 and entitled “Method for treating expandable polymermaterials,” describes several examples of suitable wet stretch methodsthat additionally or alternatively can be used to perform step 110 inthe method of FIG. 3. In general, any suitable step or method of wetstretching (also occasionally referred to within the art as “liquidexpanding”) the expanded fluoropolymer article may be used.

Notably, after performing step 110 of wet stretching the wettedexpandable fluoropolymer extrudate to produce a wet expandedfluoropolymer article, the two portions of the resulting wet expandedfluoropolymer article can be placed in intimate contact with each other,i.e., while still wet with the wet-stretch wetting agent (step 112).Step 110 of placing the two portions in intimate contact with each otherwhile the two portions (e.g., and optionally the entire wet expandedfluoropolymer article) are still wet with the wet-stretch wetting agentcan be performed in a number of different ways. In accordance with theexample embodiment of FIG. 1, the wet expanded fluoropolymer articleproduced in step 110 can be bent, folded, or curved in step 112 in sucha way as to bring two end portions of the expanded fluoropolymer articleinto intimate contact with each other. The two end portions of theexpanded fluoropolymer that are placed in intimate contact with eachother can be partially or slightly overlapping. For example, the two endportions can be the portions 12 of the example embodiment of FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, step 110 is performed by wrapping the wet stretchedfluoropolymer article around a mandrel in such a way that the two endportions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article are overlapping andin intimate contact.

In accordance with some alternative embodiments, the two end portions ofthe wet expanded fluoropolymer article instead are placed in intimatecontact with each other in an abutting, side-by-side manner.Furthermore, although only small portions 12 of the wet expandedfluoropolymer article 10 of FIG. 1 have been placed in intimate contact,it should be appreciated that large portions of the wet expandedfluoropolymer article can be placed in intimate contact with itself. Forexample, a majority (i.e., greater than half) of the wet expandedfluoropolymer article can be placed in intimate contact with itself instep 112. In such embodiments wherein the wet expanded fluoropolymerarticle is shaped as a sheet, a first half of the wet expandedfluoropolymer article can be folded over and placed in intimate contactwith a second half of the wet expanded fluoropolymer article. Uponreading the present specification, one of skill in the art willappreciate yet other ways to bring the two portions into intimatecontact. All such alternatives and modifications are contemplated withinthe scope of the present invention.

While the two portions (e.g., the two end portions) are in intimatecontact with each other, the wet-stretch wetting agent can be removed atleast from the wet expanded fluoropolymer article (step 114). As twonon-limiting examples, the wet-stretch wetting agent can be removed byexposing the wet expanded fluoropolymer article to drying conditions,e.g., involving application of heat. In step 114, the wet-stretchwetting agent optionally can also be removed from the remainder of thewet expanded fluoropolymer article besides just the two portions placedin intimate contact, e.g., by drying or heating all of the wet expandedfluoropolymer article. Furthermore, while still in intimate contact(e.g., and without being intermittently removed from intimate contactwith each other), at least the two portions of the wet expandedfluoropolymer article can be sintered (step 116). In accordance withillustrative embodiments of the present invention, step 116 of sinteringoccurs at a temperature and for a period of time that is sufficient toform bonds between the two portions of the expanded fluoropolymerarticle. In general, step 116 can occur simultaneous with or subsequentto step 114 of removing the wet-stretch wetting agent. For example,steps 114 and 116 can include sintering the entire expandedfluoropolymer article for a period of time and at a temperature that issufficient to both (a) cause the wet-stretch wetting agent to dry outand be removed from the expanded fluoropolymer article in its entiretyand (b) cause bonds to form between the two portions of the expandedfluoropolymer article. The product resulting from step 116 is anexpanded fluoropolymer article (e.g., 10, as depicted in FIG. 1) that isthermally bonded to itself without use of adhesive(s), optionally withthe application of a joining force.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, FIG.4 depicts a flow chart of a method for making a multi-layer ormulti-portion fluoropolymer article, such as the fluoropolymer article14, 18 of any one of FIGS. 2A through 2C. In general, a first expandedfluoropolymer article can be provided (step 118) and a second expandedfluoropolymer article can be provided (step 120). to Each of the firstand the second expanded fluoropolymer articles can be provided bystretching a wetted expandable fluoropolymer article. Accordingly, thefirst and the second expanded fluoropolymer articles that are providedcan be wet, e.g., can still be wet with the wet-stretch wetting agent.Each of the first and the second expanded fluoropolymer articlesprovided in steps 118 and 120 can be produced by performing steps 102through 110.

It should be appreciated that the first and the second expandedfluoropolymer articles provided in steps 118 and 120 can bewet-stretched using the same or different wet-stretch wetting agent(s).Furthermore, the first and second expanded fluoropolymer articles can beformed using the same or different lubricant wetting agent(s). Ingeneral, the first and second expanded fluoropolymer articles can beformed from the same mixture or from different mixtures (in step 102),from the same billet or from different billets (in step 104 ), and/orfrom the same or different expandable fluoropolymer extrudate(s) (instep 106). The present invention is not limited in the particular mannerin which the first and second expanded fluoropolymer articles areprovided in steps 118 and 120. Two entirely separate iterations of steps102 through 108 can be performed using separate and/or differentmixtures, billets, and/or expandable fluoropolymer extrudates, or asingle iteration of steps 102 through 108 can be performed to providethe first and second expanded fluoropolymer articles.

A portion of the first expanded fluoropolymer article and a portion ofthe second expanded fluoropolymer article can be placed in intimatecontact with each other while still wet with the wet-stretch weltingagent that used to wet stretch each of the first and second expandedfluoropolymer articles (step 122). Step 122 can occur in any number ofsuitable ways. As a first illustrative and non-limiting example, theportions of the first and second expanded fluoropolymer articles placedin intimate contact can form two fully-overlapping layers (e.g., tiers),as substantially depicted and described previously herein with referenceto the multi-layer fluoropolymer article 16 of FIG. 2A, in which each ofthe fluoropolymer layers is a sheet. In such embodiments, an entirety ofa face of the first expanded fluoropolymer article can be placed inintimate contact with an entirety of a face of the second expandedfluoropolymer article, as previously described herein. Alternatively, insome embodiments, the first and second expanded fluoropolymer articlesare placed in intimate contact in such a way as to form a relativelythin or small overlapping portion. For example, only end portions of thefirst and second expanded fluoropolymer articles can be placed inintimate contact with each other. In such embodiments, the first andsecond expanded fluoropolymer articles can be substantially flat sheetsthat are not coplanar with one another (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 2B) orthey can be substantially flat sheets that are coplanar with one another(e.g., as depicted in FIG. 2C). Alternatively, the first and secondexpanded fluoropolymer articles can be placed in intimate contact insuch a way that an edge of the first expanded fluoropolymer article isabutting and contiguous with an edge of the second expandedfluoropolymer article.

While in intimate contact with each other, the wet-stretch wettingagent(s) used to produce the first and second expanded fluoropolymerarticles can be removed at least from the portions of the first andsecond expanded fluoropolymer articles that are in intimate contact(step 124). The wet-stretch wetting agent(s) also may be simultaneouslyremoved from a remainder of the first and second expanded fluoropolymerarticles in step 124. As a non-limiting example, the wet-stretch wettingagent(s) can be removed by drying the portions of the first and secondexpanded fluoropolymer articles in intimate contact, e.g., by applyingheat to at least the portions of the first and second expandedfluoropolymer articles in intimate contact.

Furthermore, while still in intimate contact (e.g., and without beingintermittently removed from intimate contact with each other), at leastthe portions of the first and second expanded fluoropolymer articles canbe sintered (step 126). “Sintering,” as used herein, has its normaldefinition in the art of causing to become a coherent mass by heatingwithout melting. Accordingly, in step 126 of sintering, bonds are formedbetween the portions of the first and second expanded fluoropolymerarticles. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it isbelieved that the bonds formed comprise a combination of bonds. Thecombination of bonds can include, but is not limited to, one or more ofcovalent bonds, van der Walls forces, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds,electrostatic interactions and/or changes created in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material. In certainembodiments, the combination of bonds comprises covalent bonds. Incertain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises van der Wallsforces. In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds compriseshydrogen bonds. In certain embodiments, the combination of bondscomprises ionic bonds. In certain embodiments, the combination of bondscomprises electrostatic interactions. In certain embodiments, thecombination of bonds comprises changes created in the chain entanglementof the expanded fluoropolymer material.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises covalentbonds and at least one other type bond. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds and van der Wallsforces. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at leastcovalent bonds and hydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least covalent bonds and ionic bonds. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalent bondsand electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least covalent bonds and changes created in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises covalentbonds and at least two other types of bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Wallsforces and hydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces and ionic bonds.In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalentbonds, van der Walls forces and electrostatic interactions. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds,van der Walls forces and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment,the combination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van derWalls forces and changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds,hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds, hydrogen bondsand changes in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at leastcovalent bonds, ionic bonds, and electrostatic interactions. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds,ionic bonds, and changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, electrostatic interactions, andchanges in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial.

In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises covalent bonds andat least three other types of bonds. In an embodiment, the combinationof bonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces,hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces, hydrogenbonds and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combinationof bonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces,hydrogen bonds and changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces, ionic bonds,and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces, ionicbonds and changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces, electrostaticinteractions, and changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds andelectrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least covalent bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds andchanges in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at leastcovalent bonds, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions and changes inthe chain entanglement of the fluoropolymer material.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises covalentbonds and at least four other types of bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Wallsforces, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds and electrostatic interactions. Inan embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalentbonds, van der Walls forces, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds and changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least covalent bonds,hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions, and changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material.

In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises covalent bonds andat least five other types of bonds. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least covalent bonds, van der Walls forces, hydrogenbonds, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions, and changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds does not comprisecovalent bonds.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises van der Wallsforces and at least one other type of bond. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces andhydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises atleast van der Walls forces and ionic bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces andelectrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least van der Walls forces and changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material. In an embodiment,the combination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces andcovalent bonds.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises van der Wallsforces and at least two other types of bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces, hydrogenbonds and ionic bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least van der Walls forces, hydrogen bonds andelectrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least van der Walls forces, hydrogen bonds and changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least van der Wallsforces, hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces, ionicbonds and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combinationof bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces, ionic bonds andchanges in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at leastvan der Walls forces, ionic bonds and covalent bonds. In an embodiment,the combination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces,electrostatic interactions and changes in the chain entanglement of theexpanded fluoropolymer material. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least van der Walls forces, electrostaticinteractions and covalent bonds. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least van der Walls forces, changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material and covalent bonds.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises van der Wallsforces and at least three other types of bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least van der Walls forces, hydrogenbonds, ionic bonds, and electrostatic interactions. In certainembodiments, the combination of bonds comprises at least van der Wallsforces, hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions and changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material. In certainembodiments, the combination of bonds comprises van der Walls forces,hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions and covalent bonds. Incertain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises at least van derWalls forces, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions and changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material. In certainembodiments, the combination of bonds comprises at least van der Wallsforces, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions and covalent bonds. Incertain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises at least van derWalls forces, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions and covalentbonds. In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises atleast van der Walls forces, electrostatic interactions, changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material and covalentbonds.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises van der Wallsforces and at least four other types of bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least Van der walls forces, hydrogenbonds, ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions and changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds does not comprise vander Walls forces.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material and atleast one other type of bond. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material and covalent bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material and van der Wallsforces. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at leastchanges in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer materialand hydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprisesat least changes in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial and ionic bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material and electrostatic interactions.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymers material and atleast two other types of bonds. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of theexpanded fluoropolymer material, covalent bonds and van der Wallsforces. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at leastchanges in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial, covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, covalent bonds andionic bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises atleast changes in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial, covalent bonds and electrostatic interactions. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, van der Wallsforces and hydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bondscomprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of the expandedfluoropolymer material, van der Walls forces and ionic bonds. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, van der Wallsforces and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combinationof bonds comprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of theexpanded fluoropolymer material, hydrogen bonds, and ionic bonds. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, hydrogenbonds, and electrostatic interactions. In an embodiment, the combinationof bonds comprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of theexpanded fluoropolymer material, ionic bonds and electrostaticinteractions.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material and atleast three other types of bonds. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least changes in the chain entanglement of theexpanded fluoropolymer material, covalent bonds, van der Walls forcesand hydrogen bonds. In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprisesat least changes in the chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymermaterial, covalent bonds, van der Walls forces and ionic bonds. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, covalentbonds, van der Walls forces and electrostatic interactions. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, van der Wallsforces, hydrogen bonds, and ionic bonds. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least changes in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, van der Wallsforces, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic interactions. In anembodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least changes in thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material, hydrogenbonds, ionic bonds and electrostatic interactions.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises changes inthe chain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material and atleast four other types of bonds.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds does not comprise thechain entanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer material.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises hydrogenbonds and at least one other bond type. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds.In an embodiment, the combination of bonds comprises at least hydrogenbonds and electrostatic interactions.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises hydrogenbonds and at least two other bond types. In an embodiment, thecombination of bonds comprises at least hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds andelectrostatic interactions.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises hydrogenbonds and at least two three other bond types.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises hydrogenbonds and at least two four other bond types.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds does not comprisehydrogen bonds.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises ionic bondsand at least one other bond type. In an embodiment, the combination ofbonds comprises at least ionic bonds and electrostatic interactions,

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises ionic bondsand at least two other bond types.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises ionic bondsand at least three other bond types.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds comprises ionic bondsand at least four other bond types.

In certain embodiments, the combination of bonds does not comprise ionicbonds.

In general, step 126 can occur simultaneous with or subsequent to step124 of removing the wet-stretch wetting agent(s). For example, steps 124and 126 can include sintering all of the first and the second expandedfluoropolymer articles for a period of time and at a temperature that issufficient to both (a) cause the wet-stretch wetting agent(s) to dry outand be removed from both the first and the second expanded fluoropolymerarticle in their entirety and (b) cause bonds to form between theportions of the first and second expanded fluoropolymer article inintimate contact. The end result of step 126 is an expandedfluoropolymer article having multiple layers or portions that arethermally bonded to each other without the use of adhesive(s)(optionally applying a joining force).

In general, although the extrusion wetting agent and the wet-stretchwetting agent are referred to herein in the singular, it should beappreciated that each such wetting agent can include a blend or othercombination of different wetting agents. Accordingly, the effects andfunctionality described herein with reference to any single wettingagent can be achieved in each instance through the use of a plurality ofwetting agents. Furthermore, the extrusion wetting agent and thewet-stretch wetting agent can be the same or different wetting agents.As a few non-limiting examples, each of the extrusion wetting agent andthe wet-stretch wetting agent can include ethanol, methanol, IPA,Isopar-H, Isopar-E, Isopar-V, or any combination thereof. Upon readingthe present specification, one of skill in the art will appreciate avariety of additional wetting agents that of which the wet-stretchwetting agent and/or the extrusion agent can be comprised. The presentinvention is not limited to the particular examples of wetting agentsdescribed herein. Any suitable wetting agent may be implemented with thepresent invention.

During the course of work described herein, the performance of expandedfluoropolymers processed according to the methods of the presentinvention were analyzed in comparison to fluoropolymers processedaccording to conventional methods. The results of such performance testsindicate that the expanded fluoropolymers (e.g., PTFE) processedaccording to the methods of the present invention outlined hereinpossess many characteristics and properties that are unexpected andsuperior compared to conventional fluoropolymers, such asperfluoroalkoxy (PFA) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Itwas surprisingly and unexpectedly observed, for example, that theexpanded fluoropolymers of the present invention possess the ability tobe thermally bonded (e.g., joined, sealed or laminated) together withoutthe aid of an adhesive, lamination aid, or chemical or physicaltreatment, such as chemical etching, plasma treatment or coronatreatment. It was additionally observed that the expanded fluoropolymersof the present invention are capable of being thermally bonded togetherwithout application of a crushing force (e.g., by optionally applying ajoining force). It was surprisingly and unexpectedly observed, forexample, that the strength of the bonds at the interface between theexpanded fluoropolymers of the present invention that are thermallybonded together is greater than the strength of the expandedfluoropolymers themselves.

These superior and unexpected properties are believed to be the resultof the inventive processing methods outlined herein in which it wasfurther unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered that, in contrast toconventional processing methods in which portions of the fluoropolymerare placed in intimate contact at the beginning of the process andrequire at least some stretching after being placed in intimate contact,the methods of the present invention place portions of the fluoropolymerin intimate contact further downstream in the process (i.e., after wetstretching) and no further stretching is required after a wetting agentis removed to produce the superior results obtained herein.

Conventional wisdom holds that placing the portions in intimate contactin the beginning of the process (e.g., before at least some stretching)is preferable because it maximizes contacts between fluoropolymermaterials being bonded together and promotes a uniform microstructureacross the interface between the fluoropolymers upon subsequentstretching to impart bond strength. Contrary to conventional wisdom, ithas been unexpectedly and surprisingly observed that (a) placingportions of the wet-stretched fluoropolymer in intimate contact afterstretching, (b) removing the wetting agent from the wet-stretchedfluoropolymer while those portions are in intimate contact with eachother, and (c) heating (e.g., sintering) collectively enable theexpanded fluoropolymer to achieve a stronger material strength.Furthermore, stronger bonds are formed between those portions inintimate contact, and the improved bond strength is greater than thestrength of the expanded fluoropolymer material itself.

In further contrast to conventional processing methods which produceporous PTFE, the methods of the present invention yield a substantiallynon-porous fluoropolymer, e.g., non-porous ePTFE, i.e., non-porouswet-stretched ePTFE. Those conventional processes typically employ afiller (e.g., of up to 50% by weight) to fill the pores and enhance thedensity of the final product. In contrast to conventional processes,upon completion of the methods of the present invention, and inparticular upon placing portions of fluoropolymers in intimate contactafter stretching, and removing the wetting agent while the wet-stretchedfluoropolymer is in intimate contact with itself or anotherwet-stretched fluoropolymer, the expanded fluoropolymers thus formed aresubstantially non-porous without further processing or addition offiller.

Without being bound or limited by theory, it is believed that placingthe portions of fluoropolymer to be thermally bonded together afterstretching maximizes the density and decreases the porosity of thematerial without diminishing the contacts between the fluoropolymers,thereby increasing both the number and strength of the bonds formed ineach direction. It is also believed that performing at least somestretching after removing the wetting agent from a wet-stretchedfluoropolymer material while portions of the wet-stretched fluoropolymermaterial remain in intimate contact with each other can result insub-optimal overall bond strength at the interface between the thermallybonded portions due to the incidental breaking of individual bonds andaccompanying increased porosity achieved during the subsequentstretching.

These unexpected and superior results will be apparent to one of skillupon reviewing the results of the performance testing, which aresummarized below.

Longitudinal Tensile Strength (ASM D882)

The longitudinal tensile strength of articles constructed from expandedfluoropolymers of the present invention was tested and compared to thelongitudinal tensile strength of similarly constructed articles madeusing PFA and conventional ePTFE (e.g., via known processes oflubricating PTFE resin, preforming, extruding, calendaring, removinglubrication, and stretching in the machine direction). The PFA articlestested were produced using PFA material commercially available as a castfilm from CS Hyde Company, Inc, of Lake Villa, Illinois (skived PFAfilm), The longitudinal tensile strength was measured using an INSTRON®universal testing machine, in accordance with ASTM D882, entitled“Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting.”Tubes of expanded fluoropolymer of the present invention were cut openalong the length at the joint to form 1″×2″ articles of expandedfluoropolymer having thicknesses of 0.0005 inch. The fluoropolymerarticles thus formed were loaded into the testing machine with a 1″ gapbetween the grips. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in certain illustrativeembodiments, a fluoropolymer article has a longitudinal tensile strengthat break of at least 8.12 lbf (16,186 psi) on a 0.0005 inch thick sheetas measured according to ASTM D882. The ePTFE articles tested wereproduced according to conventional methods (e.g., via known processes oflubricating PTFE resin, preforming, extruding, calendaring, removinglubrication, and stretching in the machine direction). Six samples ofeach of the expanded fluoropolymer, PITA, and ePTFE articles weremeasured. The average results obtained measuring these samples are shownin Table 1 below. As is shown in Table 1, the articles made from theexpanded fluoropolymers of the present invention have a longitudinaltensile strength that is significantly greater than the PFA material orthe ePTFE material.

TABLE 1 Longitudinal Tensile Strength (LTS) LTS (lbf) LTS (psi) 0.0005″EFP 8.12 16,186 0.0005″ PFA 2.77 5,540 0.0005″ ePTFE 2.63 5.260Bond Strength (ASM D882) of Expanded Fluoropolymer Thermally Bonded toItself without Adhesive

The bond strength of expanded fluoropolymer thermally bonded to itself(forming the joint) without adhesive according to the methods of thepresent invention was tested and compared to the bond strength ofsimilarly constructed articles made using PFA and ePTFE by conventionalmethods. The bond strength was measured using an INSTRON® universaltesting machine, in accordance with ASTM D882, entitled “Standard TestMethod for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting.” The opposingedges of an expanded fluoropolymers were thermally bonded to each other(forming a joint) according to the methods of the present invention toform expanded fluoropolymer tubes. For example, a sheet comprisingexpanded fluoropolymers of the present invention was wrapped around amandrel length wise with a 0.25 inch overlap to form a joinedconfiguration. The material was subsequently heated to 360° Celsius forapproximately 15 minutes. The tubes of expanded fluoropolymer of thepresent invention were cut along the length opposite of the bonds(joint) to form articles having a 1-inch width and the bonds in themiddle. Articles were loaded onto the testing machine with the bondsbetween the grips. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, all of the articlesconstructed from the expanded fluoropolymers thermally bonded tothemselves without adhesive according to the methods of the presentinvention failed outside the bonded portions (i.e., outside the joint),in contrast to the PFA and ePTFE articles made using conventionalmethods, which all failed at or within the bonded portions (i.e., at orwithin the joint). This result indicates that the bond strength in theX-direction of the expanded fluoropolymers thermally bonded tothemselves without adhesive is greater than the X direction strength ofthe expanded fluoropolymers themselves. Put differently, the strength atthe joint of the expanded fluoropolymer article thermally bonded toitself without adhesive in a joined configuration is greater than thestrength of the fluoropolymer article itself. As shown in FIG. 6, incertain illustrative embodiments, an expanded fluoropolymer articlethermally bonded to itself has a bond strength at failure, when formedas a sheet having a thickness of 0.0005 inches, of 4.2 lbf (8,400 psi)as measured according to ASTM D882. Table 2 below shows the results ofthe bond strength testing. As is shown in Table 2, the bond strength ofthe expanded fluoropolymer articles thermally bonded to themselveswithout adhesive according to the methods of the present invention isabout 4 fold greater than the bond strength of the PFA articles, andabout 8 fold greater than the bond strength of the ePTFE articlesconstructed using conventional methods.

TABLE 2 X-Direction Tensile Strength or Joint Strength LTS (lbf) LTS(psi) EFP joint 4.2 8,400 PFA joint 1.01 2,020 ePTFE joint 0.59 1,180

Radial Tensile Strength (RTS)

The radial tensile strength of articles constructed from expandedfluoropolymers thermally bonded to themselves without adhesive accordingto the methods the present invention was tested and compared to theradial tensile strength of similarly constructed articles made using PFAand conventional ePTFE by conventional methods. The radial tensilestrength was measured using an INSTRON® universal testing machine, inaccordance with ASTM D882, entitled “Standard Test Method for TensileProperties of Thin Plastic Sheeting.” The articles tested wereconstructed in the form of 1″ diameter tubes into which a split mandrelwas inserted about 1″ into the length of each tube after which each halfof the mandrel was pulled in opposite directions until each tube failed.As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in certain illustrative embodiments, anexpanded fluoropolymer article thermally bonded to itself has a radialtensile strength, when formed as a 1″ diameter tube having a thicknessof 0.0005 inches, of 14.76 lbf (29,520 psi) as measured according toASTM D882. Table 3 below shows the results of the radial tensilestrength tests. The result reported in Table 3 below was the highestvalue recorded for each of the articles.

TABLE 3 Radial Tensile Strength RTS (lbf) RTS (psi) .0005″ EFP tube14.76 29,520 .0005″ PFA tube 2.30 4,600 .0005″ ePTFE tube 1.76 3,520

Longitudinal Tensile Strength of Perforated Expanded Fluoropolymer Films

The longitudinal tensile strength of perforated films constructed fromexpanded fluoropolymers produced according to the methods the presentinvention was tested and compared to the longitudinal tensile strengthof similarly constructed perforated articles made using PFA andconventional ePTFE by conventional methods. Perforations ofapproximately 100 microns were made in each of the films using a laser.Samples were made with different perforation densities and then testedfor longitudinal tensile strength as described above using an INSTRON®universal testing machine. The results are shown in Tables 4, 5 and 6below.

TABLE 4 Longitudinal Tensile Strength of Perforated ExpandedFluoropolymers of the present invention LTS LTS Elongation Elongation(lbf) (psi) (in) (%) .0005″ EFP 8.12 16,240 3.45 345% .0005″ EFP 5.7311,452 1.16 116% perforated 900 perforations (100 micron) in² .0005″ EFP4.4 8,816 1.06 106% perforated 1,600 (100 micron) in² .0005″ EFP 2.535,066 0.61  61% perforated 2,500 (100 micron) in²

TABLE 5 Longitudinal Tensile Strength of Perforated PFA LTS LTSElongation Elongation (lbf) (psi) (in) (%) .0005″ PFA 2.77 5,540 2.38238% .0005″ PFA 1.14 2,280 1.0 100% perforated 900 (100 micron) in².0005″ PFA 1.05 2,100 0.96  96% perforated 1600 (100 micron) in² .0005″PFA 0.85 1,700 0.77  77% perforated 2500 (100 micron) in²

TABLE 6 Longitudinal Tensile Strength of Perforated ePTFE LTS LTSElongation Elongation (lbf) (psi) (in) (%) .0005″ ePTFE 2.63 5,260 0.550% .0005″ ePTFE 1.01 2,020 0.33 33% perforated 900 (100 micron) in².0005″ ePTFE 0.94 1,880 0.28 28% perforated 1600 (100 micron) in² .0005″ePTFE 0.17 340 0.21 21% perorated 2500 (100 micron) in²

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting example embodimentof the present invention, an expanded fluoropolymer article has alongitudinal tensile strength, when formed as a 0.0005 inch thick filmhaving about 900 perforations per square inch of approximately 100microns, of 5.73 lbf (11,452 psi), as measured according to ASTM D882.In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting example embodimentof the present invention, an expanded fluoropolymer article has alongitudinal tensile strength, when formed as a 0,0005 inch thick filmhaving about 1,600 perforations per square inch of approximately 100microns, of 4.4 lbf (8,816 psi), as measured according to ASTM D882. Inaccordance with an illustrative and non-limiting example embodiment ofthe present invention, an expanded fluoropolymer article has alongitudinal tensile strength, when formed as a 0.0005 inch thick filmhaving about 2,500 perforations per square inch of approximately 100microns, of 2.53 lbf (5,066 psi), as measured according to ASTM D882. Asshown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal tensile strength of the perforatedexpanded fluoropolymers produced according to the methods of the presentinvention is significantly greater than the longitudinal tensilestrength of the perforated PFA and ePTFE regardless of the amount ofperforations.

Contact Angle

The contact angle of the expanded fluoropolymers produced according tothe methods of the present invention was measured using water and 0.1mol hydrochloric acid as the test fluids and compared to the contactangle of PFA measured using the same test fluids. All measurements weretaken using an AST video contact angle system. The static sessile dropmethod was utilized. The sessile drop method uses a contact anglegoniometer with an optical subsystem to capture the profile of a liquidon a solid substrate. The angle formed between the liquid/solidinterface and the liquid/vapor interface is the contact angle. Theresults of the water contact angle and acid contact angle measurementsare provided in Tables 7 and 8 below, respectively. FIG. 9 shows theaverage results of the water (FIG. 9A) and acid (FIG. 9B) contact anglesfor the expanded fluoropolymers produced according to the methods of thepresent invention compared to the water and acid contact angles for PFA.FIG. 10 shows a side-by-side comparison of the combined results depictedin FIGS. 9A and 9B for water and acid contact angles for both theexpanded fluoropolymers of the present invention and PFA.

TABLE 7 Water contact angle EFPs PFA angle ° 117.4 104.5 115.8 104.8121.2 106.4 116.4 104.7 118.5 106.7 average 117.86 105.42

TABLE 8 .1 mol hydrochloric acid contact angle EFPs PFA angle ° 114.8105.8 116.8 105.4 115.6 103.7 114.9 103.9 113.9 104.8 average 115.2104.72

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, an expanded fluoropolymer article produced accordingto the methods of the present invention has a water contact angle of atleast 115°. In certain illustrative embodiments, the expandedfluoropolymer article has a water contact angle of about 117.86°.

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, an expanded fluoropolymer article produced accordingto the methods of the present invention has an acid contact angle of atleast 113°. In certain illustrative embodiments, the expandedfluoropolymer article has an acid contact angle of about 115.2°.

T-Peel Test

A T-peel test was performed to compare the relative peel resistance ofbonds between layers of expanded fluoropolymer thermally bonded to eachother (at the joint) without adhesive optionally applying a joiningforce according to the methods of the present invention and the relativepeel resistance of bonds formed between layers of conventional ePTFEbonded to each other according to conventional methods. In certainillustrative embodiments, layers of expanded fluoropolymer can bethermally bonded together without adhesive by optionally applying ajoining force (i.e., an active or passive force required to place thelayers into intimate contact with each other in a particularconfiguration e.g., joined, sealed, laminated, etc.) to bring the layersinto intimate contact with each other. The appropriate joining force forany particular intended application would be apparent to those skilledin the art. It should be appreciated that a joining force, which isbrief application of a low magnitude force, is not a crushing force(e.g., a force involved in machine pressing or calendaring) which is aprolonged application of a moderate to high magnitude force. For theT-peel test, two layers of expanded fluoropolymer material processedaccording to the methods outlined herein were placed into intimatecontact with each other by using a hand roller to apply a joining forceto form a multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article thermally bondedtogether along a joint without adhesive in a laminated configuration.The laminated multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article wassubsequently heated for 900 seconds at 360° Celsius. The results of theT-peel test are shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the bonded layersof expanded fluoropolymers thermally bonded to each other along a jointwithout adhesive optionally applying a joining force according to themethods of the present invention unexpectedly and surprisingly have asignificantly higher bond strength compared to control PTFE processed byconventional methods. In accordance with an illustrative andnon-limiting embodiment of the present invention, an expandedfluoropolymer article of the present invention has a T-peel loadingvalue of between about 6 lbf and about 8 lbf. In certain illustrativeembodiments, the expanded fluoropolymer article of the present inventionhas a T-peel loading value of about 6.91 lbf. In certain illustrativeembodiments, a multi-layer expanded fluoropolymer article of the presentinvention has a T-peel loading value of between 6 lbf and about 8 lbf.In certain illustrative embodiments, the multi-layer expandedfluoropolymer article of the present invention has a T-peel loadingvalue of about 6.91 lbf.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analysis

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Analysis was used to characterize thechemistry and morphology of unprocessed PTFE resin, PTFE processed usingmethods described in the prior art, and an expanded fluoropolymer of thepresent invention (e.g., PTFE) processed using the methods of thepresent invention. FIGS. 12A and 12B show the FTIR spectrum resultingfrom the FTIR analysis performed at room temperature and an elevatedtemperature of 150° C., respectively. The results confirm all 3materials are PTFE, however they clearly show a difference in amorphouscontent between them. Absorption bands at 1211, 1154, 640, 555, and 512cm-1 are characteristic of crystalline PTFE, while bands between 700 and800 em-I are characteristic of amorphous PTFE. The increased intensityand shape of bands between 700 and 800 cm-1 detected at both roomtemperature and elevated temperature in the expanded fluoropolymers ofthe present invention clearly demonstrate a greater amorphous or chaindisorder content than conventional PTFE. In accordance with anillustrative and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, anexpanded fluoropolymer article produced according to the methods of thepresent invention has a greater amorphous fraction than PTFE, asdetected by fourier transform infrared analysis.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)

Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analyticaltechnique used to characterize thermal properties of a material,including crystalline melting point and polymorph transitions. Peaksdetected at room temperature are attributed to crystalline phasetransitions while those detected above 320° C. are attributed to melt ofthe crystalline phase. A comparison of the results obtained betweenconventional PTFE and an expanded fluoropolymer produced according tothe methods of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C,13D and 13E and summarized in Table 9 below. The shift in roomtemperature transition from 21.95° C. to 19.78° C. demonstrates andconfirms a difference in physical structure between the two materials.In addition, the reduction in energy of transition detected in theexpanded fluoropolymer produced according to the methods of the presentinvention confirms a higher amorphous content. Analysis of the highermelt temperature transition provides additional confirmation that theexpanded fluoropolymers produced according to the methods of the presentinvention are less crystalline and more amorphous. In accordance with anillustrative and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, anexpanded fluoropolymer article produced according to the methods of thepresent invention has a greater relative amorphous fraction than PTFE,characterized by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogramexhibiting a phase transition of less than 20 degrees Celsius and a heatof fusion of less than 4.0 joules per gram.

TABLE 9 Summary of DSC Data: Expanded Fluoropolymer Produced Accordingto the Methods of the Present Invention vs. Control. Phase TransitionII-IV Melt Heat of Heat of Apex Transition Apex Transition Control21.95° C. 4.444 J/g 329.09° C. 22.63 J/g EFPs 19.78° C. 3.699 J/g327.44° C. 21.77 J/g Difference −2.17° C. −0.745 J/g   −1.65° C. −0.86J/g

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)

DMA measures the modulus (stiffness) properties of materials as they aredeformed under periodic stress. These measurements provide informationabout the performance of materials. The storage modulus is a directmeasurement of the energy stored, or elasticity in a material. Thehigher the storage modulus the more memory or elasticity the sample has.Higher storage modulus correlates to a sample with higher strength andimproved stability. As shown in FIG. 14, the DMA results correlates wellwill the improved tensile results observed with the LTS and RTS test.

Coefficient of Friction (COF) on Tissue

Samples of expanded fluoropolymers produced according to the methods ofthe present invention and conventional ePTFE and PFA were tested tomeasure the coefficient of friction between those materials and tissue(bovine intestine), according to the procedure outlined below. Theresults for each of the samples are reported in Tables 10, 11 and 12. Asis shown in Tables 10-12 below and in FIG. 15, the expandedfluoropolymers produced according to the methods of the presentinvention have a significantly lower coefficient of friction than theePTFE material and a slightly lower COF compared to the PFA material.Coefficient of friction can be influenced by the morphology of thesurfaces of the material, or a change in the orientation of the polymerchains.

-   1. A 8″ section of cleaned bovine intestine is cut open along its    length, the intestine is stretched and secured onto a disposable    cutting board-   2. The material to be tested is secured to the flat bottom of a 200    gram sled-   3. The bovine intestine is irrigated with 2m1 of H20 (spread evenly    on the surface)-   4. The sled with the sample is placed onto the tissue a CHATILLON    force gauge is attached to the sled the sled is pulled approximately    4″ @5″minute. The maximum force to move the sled is recorded.-   5. Coefficient of friction is calculated by dividing the maximum    force by the weight of the sled.

TABLE 10 COF for EFPs maximum force (g) coefficient of friction 35.650.178 36.92 0.184 26.85 0.134 28.21 0.141 26.91 0.135 Average 30.9080.1544

TABLE 11 COF for conventional ePTFE maximum force (g) coefficient offriction 345.5 1.72 367.4 1.83 322.5 1.61 390.9 1.95 Average 356.5751.7775

TABLE 12 COF for PFA maximum force (g) coefficient of friction 53.790.268 41.45 0.207 32.11 0.160 32.43 0.162 33.2 0.166 Average 38.5960.1926

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, the methods described herein can be used to producean expanded polymer. In certain illustrative embodiments, the expandedpolymer comprises a wet-stretched to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE) exhibiting both a higher amorphous fraction and a lowercrystalline fraction than an expanded polymer formed from a comparativenon-wet-stretched ePTFE, as characterized by a DSC thermogram. Incertain embodiments, the DSC thermogram of the wet-stretched ePTFEexhibits a phase transition of at least 2 degrees Celsius less than theDSC thermogram of the wet-stretched ePTFE. In certain embodiments, theDSC thermogram of the wet-stretched ePTFE exhibits a heat of fusion of0.75 joules per mole less than the DSC thermogram of the wet-stretchedePTFE.

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, the wet-stretched ePTFE is capable of being thermallybonded to itself without adhesive, crushing force, or application of achemical treatment to the wet-stretched ePTFE. In certain illustrativeembodiments, the wet-stretched ePTFE is thermally bonded to itselfwithout using an adhesive. In certain illustrative embodiments, thewet-stretched ePTFE is thermally bonded to itself without applying acrushing force to the wet-stretched ePTFE. In certain illustrativeembodiments, the wet-stretched ePTFE is thermally bonded to itselfwithout application of a chemical treatment to the wet-stretched ePTFE.In certain illustrative embodiments, two or more articles comprisingwet-stretched ePTFE can be thermally bonded together without using anadhesive, without applying a crushing force, or without applying achemical treatment to the wet-stretched ePTFE. It should be apparent toone skilled in the art that thermally bonding wet-stretched ePTFE toitself or together with another article comprising wet-stretched ePTFEcan result in a variety of configurations (e.g., joined, sealed, orlaminated, etc.).

In certain illustrative embodiments, the expanded fluoropolymer materialhas a joint strength greater than the material strength of expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene when at least a portion of the expandedfluoropolymer is sintered to itself in a joined configuration. In someembodiments, such expanded fluoropolymer can be produced by a processcomprising the steps of (a) stretching a liquefied fluoropolymermaterial to form an expanded fluoropolymer material; and (b) sinteringat least the portion of the expanded fluoropolymer material to itself toin the joined configuration to yield the expanded fluoropolymer materialhaving the joint strength greater than the material strength of expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the expanded fluoropolymer has abond strength at the joint greater than the bond strength of thematerial itself when at least a portion of the wet-stretchedfluoropolymer is sintered to itself in a joined configuration, producedby a process comprising the steps of (a) stretching a wettedfluoropolymer material to form a wet-stretched fluoropolymer material;(b) removing the wetting agent from the wet-stretched fluoropolymermaterial while portions of the wet-stretched fluoropolymer material arein intimate contact with each other after stretching the wettedfluoropolymer material; and optionally (c) sintering the at least theportion of the expanded fluoropolymer material to itself to in thejoined configuration to yield the wet-stretched fluoropolymer materialhaving the bond strength at the joint greater than the bond strength ofthe material itself.

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, the methods described herein can be used to produce aproduct comprising at least one component of which is constructed froman expanded fluoropolymer material. In certain illustrative embodiments,the expanded fluoropolymer material comprises a liquid-impermeable,shape-formable wet-stretched fluoropolymer material having at least aportion of the wet-stretched fluoropolymer material sintered to itselfin a joined configuration. In some embodiments, the joint strength ofthe expanded fluoropolymer material is at least 7 times greater than thejoint strength of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material similarlyconfigured.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the product is a medical device. Insome embodiments, the medical device is a graft. In some embodiments,the medical device is a conduit or catheter. In some embodiments, themedical device is a bariatric liner.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the at least one componentcomprises a balloon. In certain illustrative embodiments, the at leastone component comprises a stent covering.

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, the methods described herein can be used to produce apolymorph of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In certain illustrativeembodiments, the polymorph of PTFE has an amorphous fractioncharacterized by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogramexhibiting a phase transition of less than 20 degrees Celsius and a heatof fusion of less than 4.0 joules per gram. In certain embodiments, thepolymorph of PTFE has an amorphous fraction characterized by a DSCthermogram exhibiting a phase transition of about 19.78 degrees Celsiusand a heat of fusion of about 3.699 joules per gram.

In some embodiments, the polymorph is thermally bonded to itself withoutan adhesive. In some embodiments, the polymorph is thermally laminatedto itself without an adhesive. In some embodiments, the polymorph isthermally sealed to itself without an adhesive. In sonic embodiments,the polymorph is thermally joined to itself.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the PTFE polymorph is a lowcrystallinity polymer as compared to PTFE, wherein PTFE is a highcrystallinity polymer. In certain embodiments, the lower crystallinitypolymer has a melting point as determined by DSC that is less than themelting point of the high crystallinity polymer.

Expanded fluoropolymers of the present invention (e.g., an expandedfluoropolymer thermally bonded to itself without an adhesive accordingto the methods of the present invention) can be used in numerous andvaried applications ranging from bio-materials to industrialapplications. Exemplary bio-materials applications include grafts (e.g.,aortic grafts, vascular grafts, a dialysis graft, a peripheral graft,etc.), conduits used in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., agastrointestinal tube), covering for stents (e.g., a balloon expandablecovered stent), a covering material for wound care, embolic filters,liners (e.g., an abdominal liner, a gastrointestinal liner, etc.),medical balloons for angioplasty stent deployment or medicinal delivery,products for soft tissue repair, products to reduce surgical adhesionsor tissue attachment to medical devices these can include a pouch ofpocket for a pacemaker or implanted insulin pump, the material can alsobe used as a space occupying device to maintain the shape of an organ orpassageway during or after surgery, or as a patch (e.g., vessel orvascular path, hernia patch, etc.) or wrap. Exemplary and non-limitingindustrial applications include, but are not limited to, a performancematerial for clothing or apparel including shoes, socks, pants, shirts,under garments, gloves, hats and outerwear (jackets, parkas etc . . . )liners for small or large storage vessels, protective packaging orcases, or as a protective barrier layer for use with fabrics.

Expanded fluoropolymers produced according to the methods of the presentinvention provide a number of advantages over expanded fluoropolymersproduced according to conventional methods. For example, expandedfluoropolymers of the present invention (e.g., an expanded fluoropolymerthermally bonded to itself without an adhesive) impart any or all of thefollowing advantages compared to PFA or conventionally processed ePTFE:increased density, decreased or eliminated porosity, increased tensilestrength, increased radial tensile strength, x-direction strength at thebonds between the expanded fluoropolymers greater than the x-directionstrength of the expanded fluoropolymers themselves, decreasedcrystallinity and increased amorphousness, an ability to expand to alarger ratio, the ability to thermally bond to themselves without usingor requiring an adhesive, crushing force or other chemical or physicalsurface treatment, such as chemical etching, plasma etching, coronatreatment, and a lower friction force to overcome.

EXAMPLE 1 EFP Abdominal or Bariatric Liner

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, an expanded fluoropolymer produced according to themethods of the present invention is used to form a film useful as abariatric or abdominal liner that can serve as a temporary protectivebarrier during or after surgery, for example, abdominal or pelvicsurgery. The abdominal liner can he a multi-layered expandedfluoropolymer article, e.g., as substantially shown in FIG. 2A, but canhave many different shapes as would be appreciated by those of skill inthe art. The bariatric liner can be a tube or sleeve of materialanchored in the GI tract to prevent or reduce absorption of nutrients(calories) to induce weight loss. The abdominal liner formed from theexpanded fluoropolymers of the present invention cover the contents ofthe abdomen during open or laparoscopic surgery to prevent or minimizedesiccation or abrasion type injuries during surgery. The abdominalliner film can be left in place for approximately 14 days after thesurgery to prevent adhesion formation. At 14 days post op the film canbe removed through a small incision or trocar port.

Pre-Clinical Study

A preclinical study to evaluate the efficacy of a thin film comprisingan expanded fluoropolymer produced according to the methods of thepresent invention toward covering the bowel on the formation ofadhesions between the sidewall and cecum and bowel in a rabbit model.

Sidewall Model

Rabbits were anesthetized with a mixture of 55 mg/kg ketaminehydrochloride and 5 mg/kg Rompum intramuscularly. Following preparationfor sterile surgery, a midline laparotomy was performed. The cecum andbowel were exteriorized and digital pressure was exerted to createsubserosal hemorrhages over all surfaces. The damaged intestine was thenlightly abraded with 4″4×4 ply sterile gauze until punctate bleeding isobserved. A 5×3 cm area of peritoneum and transversus abdominous musclewere removed on the right lateral abdominal wall. The thin filmcomprising expanded fluoropolymer produced according to the methods ofthe present invention was inlaid into the peritoneal cavity to cover alarge portion of the bowel creating a barrier between the bowel and thedefect. The cecum and bowel were then returned to their normal anatomicposition. The incision was gently closed in two layers with 3-0 VICRYLsuture. Care was taken not to damage the bowel.

After 14 days, the rabbits were anesthetized. After anesthesia, a smallincision was made to remove the membrane. The animals were thenterminated and the percentage of the sidewall injury area involved inadhesions was determined. In addition, the tenacity of the adhesions wasscored using the system in Table 13 below.

TABLE 13 Adhesion Scoring System 0 No Adhesions 1 mild, easilydissectible adhesions 2 moderate adhesions; non-dissectible, does nottear the organ 3 dense adhesions; non-dissectible, tears organ whenremoved

Data Analysis

A reduction in the area of adhesions was analyzed by the Student'st-test. The statistical significance of the incidence was analyzed usinga Chi-Square test. The tenacity scores were analyzed by analysis ofvariance of the ranks.

Results

The film comprising expanded fluoropolymer produced according to themethods of the present invention was easily handled and applied to theperitoneum. All animals did well during the post-operative interval. Infour of five animals, the film stayed at the site of placement. In thelast animal, the material had moved from the site of placement andballed around the omentum. No inflammation was observed in any animal.At necropsy, the film was easily removed in 3 animals. In one animal,the edge of the material was involved in the adhesions that formed andit was difficult to remove. In the animal where the film had moved fromthe site of placement, the film was not found until the animal wasopened after euthanasia.

As is shown in Tables 14 and 15 below, the expanded fluoropolymer filmsignificantly reduced the area, incidence and tenacity of adhesions.

TABLE 14 Adhesion Scores for Animals Implanted with PTFE TS 00586 AnimalNumber Area Score Tenacity Score 8201 0 0 8202 0 0 8205 0 0 8206 0 08211 10 1 Mean/SEM 2/1.0 3.0/0.59 *This is the Mean/SEM of the rank ofthe score.

TABLE 15 Adhesion Scores for Control Animals Animal Number Area ScoreTenacity Score 8203 100 2 8204 50 2 8206 100 2 8207 100 3 8209 100 3Mean/SEM 90/5.0 8/.068 *This is the Mean/SEM of the rank of the score.

The follow results of the pre-clinical study were notable:

-   97.78% reduction in adhesions compared to the control group (FIG.    16)-   4 out of the 5 test animals completely adhesion free-   No adverse events or health concerns with the animals tested-   No inflammation observed in any of the animals-   In 3 of the 5 test animals the test material was easily removed    through a small incision-   Material migration was minimal despite no active fixation

EXAMPLE 2 EFP Vascular Grafts Luminal Surface

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, an expanded fluoropolymer produced according to themethods of the present invention can be used to form a luminal surfaceof a vascular graft. Without being hound by theory, it is believed thatthe non-porous structure of the expanded fluoropolymers produceaccording to the methods of the present invention can prevent or reduceprotein and fibrin deposition onto the luminal surface of vasculargrafts, with the end result being decreased thrombus formation.

Feasibility studies using the expanded fluoropolymers produced accordingto the methods of the present invention as the inner most layer of amulti-layered, laminated vascular graft continue to be conducted.Preliminary SEM analysis and bench testing results performed on two suchgrafts are provided in Table 16 below.

TABLE 16 Preliminary SEM and Bench Testing Results for EFP base, .010PTFE EFP base, monofilament ePTFE cPTFE tape vs tape graft as a cover vsgraft as a cover graft type (TS-00586-52) (TS-00586-51) LTS (lbf) 50  53RTS (lbf) 78 114 suture (lbf)   2.5  3 WEP *600+  *600+ (mmHg) wall   .024″     .031″ thickness *Equipment limit reached

EXAMPLE 3 EFP Stent Cover

In accordance with an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, an expanded fluoropolymer produced according to themethods of the present invention can be used to form a stent cover.Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the non-porousstructure of the expanded fluoropolymers produce according to themethods of the present invention can prevent or reduce protein andfibrin deposition on the inside surface of the stent cover. The expandedfluoropolymer(s) can be included in any stent, as would be appreciatedby one of skill in the art upon reading the present specification.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of theforegoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construedas illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details ofthe structure may vary substantially without departing from the spiritof the present invention, and exclusive use of all modifications thatcome within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. Within thisspecification embodiments have been described in a way which enables aclear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended andwill be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined orseparated without parting from the invention. It is intended that thepresent invention be limited only to the extent required by the appendedclaims and the applicable rules of law.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are to cover allgeneric and specific features of the invention described herein, and allstatements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language,might be said to fall therebetween.

1. An expanded fluoropolymer thermally bonded to itself without anadhesive.
 2. The fluoropolymer of claim 1, wherein the expandedfluoropolymer comprises PTFE.
 3. The fluoropolymer of claim 1, whereinthe expanded fluoropolymer is non-porous.
 4. The fluoropolymer of claim1, wherein at least two portions of the fluoropolymer are bondedtogether without the adhesive to form bonds that have an x-directiontensile strength that is greater than the x-direction tensile strengthof the fluoropolymer itself.
 5. The fluoropolymer of claim 4, whereinthe bonds comprise a combination of bonds.
 6. The fluoropolymer of claim5, wherein the combination of bonds is selected from the groupconsisting of covalent bonds, van der Walls forces, hydrogen bonds,ionic bonds, electrostatic interactions and changes created in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer.
 7. The fluoropolymer ofclaim 5, wherein the combination of bonds comprises covalent bonds. 8.The fluoropolymer of claim 5, wherein the combination of bonds comprisesvan der Walls forces.
 9. The fluoropolymer of claim 5, wherein thecombination of bonds comprises hydrogen bonds.
 10. The fluoropolymer ofclaim 5, wherein the combination of bonds comprises ionic bonds.
 11. Thefluoropolymer of claim 5, wherein the combination of bonds compriseselectrostatic interactions.
 12. The fluoropolymer of claim 5, whereinthe combination of bonds comprises changes created in the chainentanglement of the expanded fluoropolymer.
 13. The fluoropolymer ofclaim 1, wherein the fluoropolymer is shaped to form a sheet, a film, atube, a balloon, or a 3-d shape. 14-39. have been cancelled.
 40. Amethod of making an expanded fluoropolymer article thermally bonded toitself without an adhesive, comprising: providing a wet stretchedfluoropolymer article by stretching a wetted expandable fluoropolymerarticle while wet with a wet stretch wetting agent; placing two portionsof the wet stretched fluoropolymer article in intimate contact with eachother while wet with the wet stretch wetting agent; and while the twoportions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article are in intimatecontact with each other, removing at least the wet stretch wetting agentfrom at least the two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymerarticle in intimate contact; and subsequent to or simultaneous withremoving at least the wet stretch wetting agent from at least the twoportions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article, heating at leastthe two portions of the wet stretched fluoropolymer article while inintimate contact with each other. 41-107. have been cancelled.
 108. Anexpanded fluoropolymer material having a bond strength at the jointgreater than the bond strength of the expanded fluoropolymer materialitself when at least a portion of the expanded fluoropolymer is sinteredto itself in a joined configuration, the expanded fluoropolymer materialproduced by a process comprising: a) stretching a wetted fluoropolymermaterial to form a wet-stretched fluoropolymer material; b) removing awetting agent from the wet-stretched fluoropolymer material whileportions of the wet-stretched fluoropolymer material are in intimatecontact with each other after stretching the wetted fluoropolymermaterial; and c) sintering the at least the portion of the expandedfluoropolymer material to itself to in the joined configuration to yieldthe wet-stretched fluoropolymer material having the bond strength at thejoint greater than the bond strength of the material itself. 109-118.have been cancelled.